Spring 2009

Tree in full bloom



Pink Lupines
























Field of Poppies



Red Maid


Chia Sage



Gorman Hills

Half Dome at Sunset

This picture was taken at sunset in Yosemite Park, CA last weekend of March 7, 2009. Half Dome wore a lace cap of snow and there were no rock climbers scaling its massive monolithic walls. It was interesting to see how Half Dome changed its cloak of colours within minutes into what looked like a large polished gold nugget tucked between ribbons of clouds. Notice the pale moon rising above the dome. What a beautiful end to a perfect day! Praise be to God from whom all blessings flow!

Manzanita Pinks

What a delight to see such delicate pink flowers blooming in the middle of winter not far from the Sierra foothills at Weimar.

Manzanita flowers

The Lionfish

LIONFISH Pterois volitans

"The flashy Lionfish uses its venomous spines for aggression and for defense. During courtship, a male will charge an intruding male with spines held forward like a charging bull.

Diet: small fishes, invertebrates
Distribution: Indian and Pacific Oceans, introduced in the Atlantic Ocean"

California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, CA, USA

California Academy of Sciences, SF

The Museum

Merry Christmas 2008

Glory to God in the highest


The shepherds find Baby Jesus


Where is He


The wisemen find Jesus


He is risen


Jesus is coming again

Leaves of Autumn

Napa Valley

Ginkgo Bibola Maidenhair glows in the sunlight

The Last Leaf
by Oliver Wendell Holmes

And if I should live to be
The last leaf upon the tree
In the spring,
Let them smile, as I do now,
At the old forsaken bough
Where I cling.

Fresh Fall Colors

These pictures were taken on October 10-12, 2008, at Lee Vining and June Lake Loop, CA during the weekend of the storm that dropped about 4-5 inches of beautiful white delicate snowflakes. Temperature dipped below 18 degrees F. Tioga Pass (elevation about 10,000') was closed and many of the visitors in Yosemite were snowbound.

An Early White Christmas

Silver Lake Aspens at the Loop

These Eyes Do Not Blink

Flaming Torches Light the Road at Hwy 158

Winding Creek Connects Lakes at Loop

Fresh Fallen Snow Leaves a Soft White Carpet at Aspen Campground

Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.

Isaiah 1:18

Smooches

Luther Burbank, an American botanist and horticulturist, developed more than 800 strains and varieties of plants in his 55- year career. He is most famous for his Santa Rosa plum, the Freestone peach, and the Russet Burbank potato which are sold worldwide. The Russet Burbank potato, the most widely cultivated potato in the USA, is prized for processing the McDonald's french fries. He also developed the Shasta daisy and even a spineless cactus which is useful for cattle-feed.

The pictures below were taken at the Luther Burbank Home and Gardens. See if you can match the pictures with the hints given below.

1. Smooches

2. Independence Day

3. Genesis 37:3
4. Ouchless

5. 'It hasta be .....'
6. Begins with the last letter

7. Named after Swedish botanist Anders Dahl

Dahlia

Shasta Daisy

Spineless Cactus

Rosa 'Fourth of July'

Rosa 'Joseph's Coat'

Zinnia

Kiss-me-over-the-garden-gate

The Water Ceremony

The Water Ceremony

There is a beautiful tradition still being observed in some Native American communities today which sanctifies the union of a bride and groom. Because water signifies life, a 2 spouted vase is designed for this purpose and made by the groom‘s parents.

Then the groom, along with his parents and all his relatives go to the bride's house to present the vase.

Water is poured into the wedding vase, and the vase is given to the bride who drinks from one side of the vase, turns it around, and gives it to the groom, who then drinks from the opposite side. This ceremony symbolizes unity.

The wedding vase is treasured and displayed at a prominent place of honor in their new home to remind the couple throughout their married life that they are one.

Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother: and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be as one flesh. Genesis 2:24

Rosies, Posies and Meadowfoam

Rose

Rose

Meadowfoam

Chasing Wildflowers...

The desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose. It shall blossom abundantly. Isaiah 35:1,2

Fields of Poppies, Lancaster, CA

Cottonwood Canyon, CA

Tidy Tips, Goldfields and Filarees
Baby Blue Eyes at Shell Creek, CA

Thistle Sage

Thistle Sage, Lupines, and Desert Dandelions at Cottonwood Canyon, CA

Interior Goldenbush, Carrizo Plains, CA

Poppies at Lancaster, CA

Beetle on Cream Cup

Baby Blue Eyes and Tidy Tips at Shell Creek, CA
Blue Lupines at Table Mountain, Oroville, CA